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The thing a drama school can't give you is instinct. It can sharpen instinct but that can't be taught, and you have to have intuition. It's an essential ingredient.
Gary Oldman
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Instinct and intuition are innate qualities essential for a successful acting career, which cannot be fully taught in a drama school.

In this quote, Gary Oldman emphasizes the importance of instinct and intuition in the art of acting. While drama schools can provide valuable training and techniques to enhance an actor's skills, the core essence of an actor's performance comes from their innate understanding and emotional instinct, which cannot be imparted through formal education alone. This highlights the unique blend of talent and training that is crucial for success in the performing arts.

Themes

ActingInstinctIntuitionDramaCreativity

In practice

Example use cases

During a lesson on acting techniques, a teacher might cite this quote to illustrate the importance of intuition in performance.

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Getting sober was one of the three pivotal events in my life, along with becoming an actor and having a child. Of the three, finding my sobriety was the hardest thing.
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